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ChapterSeven
Ashley clapped as the woman who had been entertaining them from the tiny stage in the corner of one of the more laid-back bars in town introduced her last song, her fingers skillfully moving across the fret of the acoustic guitar before her uniquely edgy voice filled the room, quieting the audience.
She glanced over at Olivia, glad that she’d thought to ask her friend to join her tonight. Ashley had been sitting beside her several times a week for lectures, but they’d only met for coffee between classes, never going out like this, because well, Ashley had always been busy on the weekends.
Ashley had thought for sure that she was seeing things when she’d met Carla’s eyes outside the building where one of her afternoon lectures were held on Wednesday. Carla was on her own, hovering almost, and Ashley should have known something was up when she weaved through the students milling around her, coming, and going to their own classes.
Carla had told her that she was meeting an old friend for dinner Friday. Not to come over basically, although she’d said it more eloquently than that. Carla had made sure that Ashley knew she was free all-day Saturday and Sunday, that they could spend the rest of the weekend together like they normally would.
Ashley thought that she’d acknowledged the change in plans without showing too much disappointment, agreeing to come over to Carla’s around ten o’clock on Saturday morning, but there was something odd about the brief exchange. Ashley couldn’t put her finger on it, but it was almost like Carla seemed guilty.
Maybe, it was just because this was the first time, other than the holidays, that Ashley wouldn’t be knocking on Carla’s door Friday evening, a routine that was so second nature, sometimes Ashley didn’t even remember getting herself there.
Olivia leaned in, her shoulder brushing Ashley’s. “I’m glad you asked me out tonight. We should’ve done this a long time ago.”
“Definitely,” Ashley answered, although Olivia’s choice of words had her wondering if she’d mistakenly thought that this was a date.
They finished their drinks and headed out into the cold night air, standing on the sidewalk, looking up and down the busy street for a free taxi.
Olivia shoved her hands in the pockets of her jacket. “Do you think you could ever be friends with one of your professors?”
Ashley watched a taxi drive by, ignoring her outstretched hand. “What?” Surely, she misheard Olivia. Why would she ask her that? Ashley checked herself. She was in no way drunk enough to have let something slip out of her mouth that she shouldn’t have.
Ashley followed Olivia’s gaze to the Italian restaurant across the street and her eyes landed on Carla, sitting across from a woman of a similar age at a table for two.
“I met Carla Lawless at a coffee shop earlier today. I bump into her there at least once a week, and she seems nice. I felt like she didn’t treat me like I was one of her students.”
Ashley couldn’t tear her gaze away from Carla and the woman. “Maybe, she didn’t realize you were one of her students.”
“No, she must have. I stopped by her office a few times at the start of the year. Not just her. I met with all of my lecturers. I feel like it’s good to introduce yourself,” she said with a shrug. “Let them have a face to put to your name. They have hundreds of students. I don’t want to just be a number.”
“So, she was nice?” Ashley asked, struggling to follow what Olivia was saying.
Olivia laughed. “You have it so bad.”
“What?”
“Your crush. I noticed it from the first class. Join the club though. She’s got quite the following.”
“A following?”
“Her Instagram.”
“She’s on Instagram?”
“Yes?” Olivia smiled. “Why do you seem so surprised? Professors have lives too, you know?”
“No. Yeah. Obviously. I just…” Ashley resisted the urge to take her phone out then and there and see if she could figure out who that woman was.
“She doesn’t post much. I only found her because she interviewed the author of one of my favorite books.”
Ashley bit the inside of her cheek. There was so much she didn’t know about Carla. “Do you know who that is? With her?” she asked, nodding towards the restaurant as a shiver ran through her, the snow flurries starting again.
“Yeah. Well, I can’t remember her name, but they were definitely dating for a while.”
Ashley’s jaw dropped.
“I thought I told you that Carla Lawless was gay.”
Ashley blinked. “No, yeah, you did. That first week we met.”
A slow smile came to Olivia’s lips. “Oh, I get it. You’re jealous.” Olivia leaned in to wrap an arm around her waist. “And I have to say that I’m a little jealous too.”
Ashley was about to ask Olivia who she was jealous of when she felt Olivia’s hand move from her hip to the middle of her back as she stepped fully into Ashley’s space, one hand coming to her cheek and guiding their lips together.
It happened so fast, and Ashley had been in such a state of shock that it took her a few seconds to put a hand on Olivia’s shoulder and gently push her back.
Olivia must have registered the confusion, the surprise on Ashley’s face, because the first thing she did was apologize. “I’m sorry. I thought…” She ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t know why I thought that when you asked me out tonight… I didn’t think you were seeing anyone.” Olivia shook her head, a wry smile on her lips. “I shouldn’t have assumed. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m sorry that I gave you the wrong idea.” Ashley gave her arm a squeeze through her jacket. “Friends? I’d hate for things to be weird between us now.”
“Friends,” Olivia said, flashing her a smile.
